Exterior House Painting Tips and Trends for 2015

When a house is first built, it isn’t until the paint is applied that the exterior beauty shines through. The home’s exterior paint job may be the single biggest factor that affects the curb appeal of your home. If you’re ready for a change but without the upheaval or expense of a move, a new exterior paint job can be all that’s needed to create a dramatic and fresh appearance. When painting your home’s exterior, there are a few things that can help ensure a beautiful outcome. When it comes time to choose paint colors, why not consider 2015 exterior painting trends?

Planning and Prep

An excellent exterior paint job begins with preparation. One element of prep is choosing the best time of year for painting. If you use oil-based paint, ideal outdoor temperatures are between 40°F and 90°F. If painting with latex, ideal temps are between 50°F and 85°F. Spring and summer are typically perfect seasons for painting a home exterior in Connecticut.

It’s important to get your house ready by ensuring that the paint will be able to adhere to all surfaces. Scraping, sanding, and repair may all be needed. There may be boards that should be replaced. Because the paint will be applied to various surfaces, such as previously painted wood and fresh lumber and caulking, be sure to use appropriate primers.

One of the final steps before painting is to remove the grime, mildew, dirt, and chalky residue from your home. A power sprayer is most efficient, but it should be used with an expert hand, to be sure no damage is caused by the water pressure. Scrubbing and using a stiff bristle brush may also be needed for different areas that require special attention.

Choosing the Paint

The two basic types of paint used for exterior surfaces are oil-based and latex. The preferred, by far, is latex for a variety of reasons. Latex paints:

Retain color better

Do not trap in moisture

Dry more quickly

Make cleanup easier

Oil paints have pros and cons. Oil-based exterior paints have better adhesion and are more durable, but they take longer to dry and have more of a tendency to fade.

Whatever type of paint you choose, the most important thing is to buy a high-quality paint. The difference between economy paint and high-quality exterior paint comes down to how many years before another paint job is needed. When a low-quality paint is used, you may find the need to paint within three years. Quality paint, on the other hand, can last many years longer. In the long run, paying for quality paint saves money.

Keep in mind that two factors contribute the most to fading: sun exposure and paint hue. Surfaces exposed to a lot of direct sunlight tend to fade more quickly. Certain pigments have proven to be less likely to fade, such as brown tones and red oxides.

Painting Trends

The 2015 exterior paint trends include:

Trim in dark neutrals, not so much bright white, as before;

Warm gray for all-over coverage with a warm off-white or dark gray trim; and

Tan with a warm off-white trim.

The best way to find success with an exterior paint job is to trust the work to professionals. Contact us today for all of your painting needs.